Safety mechanism



June 17, 1947. B. CYR 2,422,471

SAFETY MECHANISM Filed April 26,- 1941 Z-Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR njmim 31b ATTORNEY.

June 17,1947. B. cm 2,422,471

' SAFETY MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5

INVENTOR Baqjumim d3 i'ITORNEY vide an arrangement of the Patented June 17, 1947 Benjamin Cyr,

Minneapolis-Honeywell Minneapolis,

Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Regulator Company,

Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application April 26, 1941, Serial No. 390,571

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved safety mechanism and more particularly to a switch mechanism adapted to be normally held in one predetermined position and moved from said position only in the event of an abnormal condition.

It is quite customary in connection with the gas burning art to employ a control switch or a control valve to prevent flow of fuel to the main burner in the event that the pilot burner is extinguished. In recent years, it has become quite common to hold the control device in its active position by means of an electromagnet which is energized by a thermocouple exposed to the pilot burner flame. Such an arrangement offers a number of advantages including the one that it may be operated independently of any external source of power and at the same time, provide the extreme flexibility in installation provided with an electricallyoperated device. When the pilot burner becomes extinguished in connection with such a mechanism, the armature and electromagnet are separated to cause movement of the control device to a safe position. In certain types of mechanisms of this character, before the mechanism can be again placed in operation, it is necessary to reset it. In many cases this resetting operation involves moving the armature into engagement with the electromagnet so that the electromagnet is capable of retaining the armature. Recent devices of this type have been provided with means whereby the control device is not moved to its active position during the resetting operation but is only moved to the active position after the armature has been retained by the electromagnet. The present invention is particularly concerned with imprvements in the latter type of device.

An object of the present invention is to protype above described wherein the control device has associated therewith a longitudinally reciprocable actuating element and in which the resetting operation is accomplished without disturbing the position of this element.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an arrangement in which the con trol device is a snap switch and in which the longitudinally reciprocable element is a push button therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the .type discussed in. the above objects in which the resetting operation is accomplished by moving a member normally biased into one position with respect to said longitudinally reciprocable element transversely to the path of movement of said element so as to bring said biasing means into cooperative relation with a holding device without disturbing the position of said element.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved safety mechanism with the cover thereof removed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the control mechanism also with the cover removed.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the control apparatus shown in a different operative position than in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view of a control system embodying the improved safety apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the control device, and

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the form of Fig. 5 shown in a different operative position.

Referring specifically to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the improved safety mechanism is secured to abase plate formed of stamped sheet metal. This base plate H) has forwardly turned side flanges 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Secured to the base plate I0 is a snap switch It which constitutes the controller or control device of the safety apparatus. This snap switch may take any desired form wherein a snap switch is actuated by means of a longitudinally reciprocable member. Such a switch is shown in the co-pending application of Albert E. Baak. Serial No. 307,991 filed December '7, 1939, for Snap action switch, now Patent No. 2,318,734 issued May 11, 1943. In general, such a switch comprises a housing 11, a stationary contact l8 and a movable contact [9 carried by a lever 20. Bearing against the end of lever 20 is a spring pressed toggle link 2| which biases the lever 20 to a position wherein contacts 18 and I9 are out of engagement. Bearing upon lever 20 is a lever 22 which is designed to be engaged by a reciprocable button 23 extending through the wall of housing l1. Upon movementof button 23 inwardly, the

lever 22 is pushed against lever 20 so as to movethe same against the action of toggle 2| to the contact making position shown in Fig. 1. The open position of the switch is shown in Fig. 3. Extending through a grommet l5 secured in the wall of the switch housing II, are leads 25 and 26 which are connected to contact screws 21. The housing l'l, together with the internal contact mechanism, is fixed to the base plate In in a manner which is described later and is hence the fixed portion of the controller while the button 23 is movable with respect to the casing to act as the movable controlling member for the controller. This button 26 is movable between positions in which the switch is oif" and on, respectively, which positions may be referred to as first and second controlling positions of the controlling member 26.

Secured to the lower flange I 3 is an electromagnet housing 28. This housing is cup-shape in form and is sealed at its upper end by a closure plate 29. Located within the housing 23 is an electromagnet 3| which is designed to be engaged by an armature 32. Secured to the armature 32 is an armature stem 33 which extends through an aperture in the center of plate 29 and which, as will be clear from the subsequent description functions as a reset member. The electromagnet 3| is provided with windings 34 which are connected through means not shown and a concentric conductor 35 to a thermocouple 36. The particular details of this thermocouple form no part of the present invention although this thermocouple may well be of the concentric form shown in the patent to Carl G, Kronmiller #2,165,801 issued July 11, 1939.

As shown in Fig. l, the thermocouple 36 is being heated so that it is capable of energizing the electromagnet winding 34. As a result, the armature 32 is held in engagement with electromagent 3|. This action of the electromagnet is resisted by a spring 38 which is interposed between the closure plate 29 and a collar 40 carried by the armature stem 33.

Secured to the base plate 10 is a bracket plate 42. This bracket plate has a forwardly turned tongue 43 and another forwardly turned flange 44. The switch 16 is secured to the forwardly turned tongue 43 by screws or other similar fastening means. The forwardly turned tongue 44 is provided with a slot. In alignment with this slot is a second slot in the flange 14 of the base plate I 0. Slidably extending through the slots of the forwardly turned tongue 44 and flange 14 is an actuator member in the form of a bar 41. Secured to the upper end of the slidable bar 41 are a plurality of discs 48 which serve as a handle portion.

A lever 49 pivotally bears against the lower end of the actuator member 41. and is supported thereby. This lever 49 is provided with a downwardly curved portion 59 adapted to be engaged by the end of armature stem 33. On the left hand side of support 41, the lever 49 terminates in an ear Adjacent the left hand side of the curved portion 50, an ear 52 extends downwardly. On this ear the words on and off appear. As will be pointed out later, this car serves to indicat the position of a switch. Extending outwardly from the portion supporting the ear 52, the lever 49 has a relatively flat portion 53 which is adapted to cooperate with the button 23 of switch l6. The extreme upper end of the lever 49 is bent away from portion 53 as at 54.

A spring 56 is secured at its upper end to an ear 51 projecting downwardly from the forwardly extending flange 14 of base plate I 0. The lower end of spring 56 is connected to the ear 5! of lever 49. It will be obvious that the spring 56 tends to bias the lever 49 about the bar 41 so that the portion 53 is urged into engagement with the button 23 to move contacts l8 and 19 to contact making position as shown in Fig. 1.

The various elements are shown in Figs. 1 and .down transformer 61.

2 in the positions occupied when the thermocouple 36 is heated and the switch I9, I 9 is closed. In Fig. 3, the structure is shown in its inactive position which it occupies when the thermocouple is not heated. With the elements in the latter position, contacts l6 and 19 are separated and the button 23 projects outwardly a substantial distance from the switch housing l1. In the position of the elements shown in Fig. 3, the armature 32 has been released from the electromagnet so that the armature stem 33 projects a substantial distance beyond the upper plate 29 of the electromagnet housing. In this position, the spring 38 is effective to bias th lever 49 in a clockwise direction about the support 41 thereby opposing the action of biasing spring 56. The biasing spring 38 is capable of exerting considerable more force than the biasing spring 56 so that when th armature 32 is released, the lever 49 is rocked in a clockwise direction against the action of biasing spring 56. This clockwise movement is limited by the upper portion 54' of lever 49 engaging the actuating bar 41. In this position of lever 49 relative to the bar 41, the lever 49 does not engage button 23 sufllciently to hold it in circuit making position.

In Fig. 4, the safety mechanism is shown in connection with a fuel burner control system. Referring to this flgure, the reference numeral 66 indicates a main gas burner which is supplied with gas through a gas pipe 6|. Interposed in the gas pipe is the conventional air and gas mixer 62. Controlling the flow of gas through the gas pipe 6| is a main shutofl valve 63. Associated with this valve is an electrically operated actuating mechanism 64. This actuating mechanism is of any conventional type which upon energization causes the valve to be moved to open position and remain in this position so as long as the actuating mechanism is energized. The moment that the actuating mechanism is deenergized, the valve is moved to closed position. Located closely adjacent the main burner and in igniting relation therewith is a pilot burner 65. This pilot burner is connected to the main gas supply pipe 6| on the upstream side of the valve 63 so that the flow of gas to the pilot burner 65 is independent of the position of valve 63.

Power for operation of the aotuaing mechanism 64 of the valve 63 is supplied by a step- The step-down transformer 61 comprises a line voltage primary 69 and a low voltage secondary 10. The line voltage primary 69 is connected to line wires 12 and 13 leading to any suitable source of power (not shown).

The energization of the actuating mechanism 64 of valve 63 is controlled by a thermostat 15 and by the safety mechanism of the present invention. The thermostat 15 is of conventional construction comprising a bimetallic element 16 to which is secured a contact blade 11. The contact blade 11 is movable into and out of engagement with a flxed contact 19. The bimetallic element 16 is so disposed that upon a temperature fall, the contact arm 11 is moved into engagement with the contact 19.

The safety mechanism of the present invention is shown in Fig. 4 as provided with a cover member. This cover member is in the form of a U-shape member which completes, with the base plate 10, the enclosure of the switch actuating mechanism and the electromagnet housing 26. The cover member is secured to the base plate by means oi fastening means extending tromagnet winding 34.

through the flanges of the cover member and the flanges II and I2 of the base plate, As indicated in Fig. 4, the cover member is provided with a rectangular opening 80. This'rectangular opening is in such a position that it appears in front of the ear 52. When the lever 49 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the word on appears in front of this window, as indicated in Fig. 4. When the lever is in the position shown in Fig. 3, however, the word off appears in front of the window.

In the position shown in Fig. 4, the switch I6 of the safety mechansm is closed as shown in Fig. 1. For this reason the word on appears in front of the window 80. In this position of the safety mechanism, a circuit may be established upon closure of thermostat blade 11 with contact 18 to the actuating mechanism 64 as follows: from the right hand end of secondary through conductor 82, contact 18, thermostat blade 11, bimetallic element 16, conductor 83, switch I5, conductor 84, valve actuating mechanism 64 and conductor 85 to the other terminal of the secondary 10. When the valve actuating mechanism 64 is thus energized by closure of thermostat blade 11 with contact 18. the valve 63 is moved to open position and gas is admitted to the main burner. During ordinary operation, the valve 63 is opened and closed in accordance with the position of thermostat 15, Each time that the valve 63 is opened, the gas admitted to the main burner 60 is ignited by the pilot flame or pilot burner 65.

It is highly desirable that the gas not be admitted' to the main burner 60 unless the pilot burner is properly ignited. The improved safety mechanism of the present invention provides against this happening, even momentarily. If

. the pilot burner is not lighted, the thermocouple 36 is not heated sufficiently to energize the elec- Consequently the elements assume the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein switch contacts I8 and I9 are separated. Under these circumstances, it is obviously impossible to establish a circuit to the valve actuating mechanism 64. Furthermore, it is impossible to even momentarily close this circuit unless the pilot burner is lighted. If, while the electromagnet winding 34 is deenergized, the actuating member 41 is pushed downwardly, the spring 38 continues to hold lever 49 in the position shown in Fig. 3 until after downward movement. In other words, lever 49 moves in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of button 23 and the relationship between lever 49 and button 23 is not disturbed. If the handle 48 is now released, lever 49 travels back up over the same path, in no case bearing against button 23. Just as long as the electromagnet is deenergized by reason of the pilot burner being extinguished, it is impossible to even momentarily close contacts I8 and I9, If the pilot burner is lighted, however, the movement of actuating member 41 downwardly results in the lever 49 traveling down in a direction transverse to the movement of button 23, or as in the case described above. In this case, however, when the handle 48 is released to permit return movement of actuating bar 41, the reset member or stem 33 is held downwardly so that the biasing means 38 is no longer effective on lever 49. This leaves the biasing spring 56 free to act unrestrained upon lever 49 with the result that lever 49 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to push button 23 inwardly .legs of the slidable member I41 at I54.

and cause the engagement of contacts I8 and I9 as shown in Fig. 1.

Species of Figures 5 and 6 In Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown a slightly modified form of the present invention. The base plate III, the electromagnet housing 28 and the electromagnet structure are all the same as in the species of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The same reference numerals have accordingly been given these elements, and no detailed description thereof is made in connection with Figs. 5 and 6. The controller or switch H6 is of the same type as switch I6 in species I, 2 and 3. Switches of this type are quite commonly provided with both contacts which are engaged when the button is pressed inwardly and contacts which are engaged when the button is in its outermost position. In the case of switch H5, the latter contacts are used. For convenience of description, these contacts have been designated by the reference numerals H9 and H9 and the lever carrying the contact H9 has been designated by the reference numeral I29. The biased link is designed by the reference numeral I2I and the actuating lever'by the reference numeral I22. The controlling member or button I23 is designed to eng ge the lever I22. The button I23 is moved inwardly and the lever I22 is pushed against Iver I22 to separate contacts H8 and H9 with a snap action.

Secured to the base plate I0 is a bracket plate I42 corresponding in function to the bracket plate 42 of species I, 2 and 3. This bracket plate has a forwardly turned flange I43 and a further forwardly turned flange I44. The top flange I4 in the base plate III is provided with a slot and extending through this slot is the shank portion of a forked slidable actuator member I41. This member is preferably formed out of two strips of metal which are secured together at their upper ends to form the shank portion of the forked -member and are spread apart at the lower end to form two spaced legs. The rear leg of actuator member I41 extends through the slot of the forwardly turned flange I44. The member I41 is slidably supported at its top by .the flange I4 of base member ID and at its lower end by the forwardly turned flange I44. The lower end of each leg of the forked member I41 is slotted as at I49. Slidable in the slot I49 is a cross-head I50. The lower end of the lever I5I is pivotally secured to the cross-head I59. Lever I5I has a downwardly extending arm I55 on the lower end of which appears the words off and on. This member I55 corresponds to the member 52 of this species of Fig. 1. At the junction of its two legs, the lever I5I is pivotally secured to a second lever I52. This second lever is adapted to bear against the button I23. The upper end of lever I52 is provided with a pair of spaced ears I53 which are pivotally connected to the two The spring I56 has its upper end secured to an ear I51 projecting downwardly from the upper flange I4 of base member III. The lower end of spring I56 is secured to the lower end of the slidable fork member I41. It will be obvious that the spring I55 biases the slidable member I41 to the uppermost position shown in the drawing. The upward movement of the slidable member I41 is limited by a cotter pin I59 extending through the slidable member I41 and engaging the under side of the flange I4.

. The various elements are shown in the switch closed position in Fig. 5. In this position. the armature is held in engagement with the electromagnet so that the cross-head I50 to which the armature is secured is held in its lowermost position against the action of spring 38 which bears at its upper end against the cross head I50 and at its lower end against the cover or housing 28, as shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the levers II and I52 extend at an obtuse angle to each other and lever I 52 occupies a position wherein button I23 is free to move outwardly sufllceintly to permit engagement of contacts H8 and IIS. If the pilot flame is extinguished so as to cause deenergization of the electromagnet and the resultant release of the armature therefrom, the spring '38 is efiective to move the armature, the reset member or stem 33, and the cross-head I50 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6. This upward movement of cross-head I50 causes the levers I5I and I52 to assume positions at right angles to each other. When the levers I5I and I52 are in this relative position, the lever I52 is urged against button I23 to push it inwardly and cause separation of contacts IIB and II9. The inward movement of lever I52 is limited by reason of the engagement of the crosshead I50 with the end of the slot I40, as shown in Fig. 6. It is to be understood that contacts H8 and IIS are connected in series with the operating mechanism of the gas valve so that upon separation of these contacts, the valve is moved to closed position as in the previous species.

If it is now desired to reset the safety mechanism, the slidable member I41 is moved downwardly. This downward movement however does not result in even momentary closure of switch contacts H8 and H9 unless the electromagnet is energized. Upon the downward movement of the slidable actuating member I41, the armature is pushed into engagement with the electromagnet and the levers I5I and I52 are carried downwardly in a. direction transverse to the path of movement of button I23. Due to the action of spring 38, however, the two levers are held rigidly in the position shown in Fig. 6 so that the lever I 52 remains in engagement with button I23 holding it in its innermost position. If the armature is not retained by the electromagnet, the return movement of the lever I41 merely causes the levers I5I and I52 to travel back over the same path they traveled in moving to the lowermost position. During this resetting operation, the position of contacts H8 and H9 are not in any way disturbed.

If however the electromagnet is energized so as to retain the armature, the cross-head I50 will be held in its lowermost position. Upon the return movement of actuating member I41, the levers I5! and I52 are tilted with respect to each other until they assume the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position, button I23 is moved outwardly so as to cause engagement of switch contacts H8 and IIS.

It will be seen that the safety mechanism of the species of Figs. 5 and 6 is operated in substantially the same way and possesses substantially all of the advantages of the previously described species. The only difierence between the two species is in the details of construction, the species of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 being slightly simpler in construction.

In both species, provision is made in a simple manner for the utilization in a thermocouple safety pilot of a control device having a longitudinally responsible operating member.

While the safety mechanism has been shown in connection with a snap switch, it should be understood that any other controller or control device could be employed utilizing a reciprocable actuating member. In general, while a specific form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention-is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a control device, a longitudinally reciprocable actuating element therefor, said element being operative when moved longitudinally to change the controlling position of said device, a first lever adapted to bear against said element in the direction of movement of said element, a second lever pivotally connected at one end to said first lever, a reciprocable stem connected to the other end of said second lever, biasing means urging said stem and hence said levers to a position in which said first lever occupies a predetermined position with respect to said element, holding means for said stern, actuating means for moving said levers transversely of the path of movement of said element so as to move said stem into cooperative relationship with said holding means without aifecting the relative position of said levers or the pisition 0! said element, and means operative upon said stem being held by said holding means to cause said levers to be relatively moved so as to cause longitudinal movement of said element.

2. In combination, a switch biased to closed position, a controlling element effective upon pressure thereon to maintain said switch in open position, electromagnetic holding means including an electromagnet element and an armature element, lever means adapted to bear against said controlling element, a movable actuator member pivotally connected to said lever means, means controlled by said electromagnet means for holding said lever means in a position such that said switch can assume closed position, said lever means being effective when said armature and electromagnet are separated to move about said actuator member as a pivot and apply pressure on said controlling element to move said switch to open position, said movable actuator member being effective when moved in one direction to cause said lever means to move said armature and electromagnet together while maintaining said controlling element in its switch open position.

3. In combination, a supporting structure, a switch fixedly mounted on said structure provided with a controlling member having an on position and an of! position, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement toreset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions and cooperable with said reset member, when same is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, said reset member and said actuator member being substantially coaxial, means for holding said reset member in reset position, and an operating arm for actuating said controlling member to on" position by cooperation of said actuator member therewith upon movement of said actuator member from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position.

4. In a switch of the class described, in combination, a supporting structure, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions and cooperable with said reset member, when same is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by the movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, said reset member and said actuator member being substantially coaxial, means for holding said reset member in reset position, switch means fixedly mounted on said structure, and a switch operating member actuated to position closing said switch means by cooperation with said actuator member upon movement of said actuator member from resetting position to released position only when said reset member is held in reset position.

In combination, a supporting structure, a switch fixedly mounted on said structure provided with a controlling member having an on position and an off position, a reset member mount ed 0n said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions; an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions and cooperable with said reset member, when same is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, said reset member and said actuator member being substantially coaxial, means for holding said reset member in reset position, and an operating arm operatively connected to said actuator member and actuated to a position in which said controlling member is in on position by cooperation of said actuator member with said arm upon movement of said actuator member from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position.

6. In combination, a supporting structure, a switch fixedly mounted on said structure and provided with a controlling member having an on position and an OK position, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for movement to resetting and released positions, lever means mounted so as to be at all times actuatable by both said actuator member and said reset member and adapted to engage said controlling member, said actuator member being effective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movrnent of said actuator member from released position to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being effective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be moved from aposition in which said controlling member is in off position to one in which said controlling member is in on position.

'7. In combination, a supporting structure, a switch fixedly mounted on said structure and provided with a controlling member having an on position and on off position, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions, lever means pivotally connected to both said actuator member and said reset member and adapted to engage said controlling member, said actuator member being effective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position; said actuator member being effective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said levermeans to be moved from a position in which said controlling member is in off positio to one in which said controlling member is in on position.

8. In combination, a supporting housing, a switch fixedly mounted in said housing and provided with a controlling member having an on position and an off position, a reset member mounted in said housing for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, a manually operated actuator member mounted in haid housing and extending through said housing for movement to resetting and released positions, lever means disposed as to pivotally cooperate with said actuator member, said reset member, and said controlling member, said actuator member being effective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being effective upo movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be moved from a position in which said controlling member is in off position to one in which said controlling member is in on position, and an indicating arm carried by said lever means and adapted to be visible outside of said housing so as to indicate whether said controlling member is in it ofi or its on position.

9. In combination, a supporting housing, a switch fixedly mounted in said housing and provided with a controlling member having an on position and an off position, a reset member mounted in said housing for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted in said housing for rectilinear movement through a wall of said housing to resetting and released positions, a lever member pivotally connected to said actuator member and pivotally cooperating with said reset member and said controlling member, a spring having one end secured to the Wall of said housing through which said actuator member extends and the other end secured to one of said pivotally connected lever and actuator members so as to bias said actuator member outwardly to its releasedposition, said actuator member being effective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being effective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be moved from a position in which said controlling member is in oil position to one in which said controlling member is in on position.

10. In combination, a supporting housing, a switch fixedly mounted in said housing and provided with a controlling member biased to an 11 on position and movable to an 011" position, a reset member mounted in said housing for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, a manually operable actuator member mounted in said housing for rectilinear movement through a wall of said housing to resetting and released positions, a spring having one end connected to said wall of said housing and the other end operatively connected to said actuator member to bias said actuator member to released position, a lever means pivotally connected to both said actuator member and said reset member and adapted to engage said controlling member, said actuator member being efiective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, electromagnet means in said housing for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being eiiective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be moved from a position in which said controlling member is held in its off position to one in which said controlling member is free to move to its on position by its bias, and an indicating'arm carried by said lever means and bearing indicia adapted selectively to be visible through an opening in said housing depending upon the position of said lever means so as to indicate whether said controlling member is in its "off or its "on position.

11. In combination a supporting structure, a control device fixedly secured to said structure and provided with a controlling member having first and second controlling positions, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions, along a path extending perpendicularly to the path of movement of said controlling member, lever means pivotally secured to said actuator member and pivotally cooperating with said reset member and said controlling member, said actuator member being efiective by movement thereof from released position to reset position, when said reset member is in released position, to move said lever means transversely of the path of movement of said controlling member and to reset said reset member to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being eiiective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be rocked from a position in which said controlling member is in its first controlling position to one in which said controlling member is in its second controlling position.

12. In combination, a supporting structure, a control device fixedly secured to said structure and provided with a controlling member having first and second controlling positions, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions, lever means pivotally connected to both said actuator member and said reset member and adapted to engage said controlling member, said actuator member being eflective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement 0! said actuator member from released position to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being effective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be moved from a position in which said controlling member is in its first controlling position to one in which said controlling member is in its second controlling position.

13. In combination, a supporting structure, a switch fixedly mounted on said structure and provided with a, controlling member having an on position and an OK position, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions, lever means disposed in the paths of movement of said actuator member, said reset member and said controlling member and in constant pivotal association with at least one of said members, said actuator member being effective, when said reset member is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, and means for holding said reset member in reset position, said actuator member being effective upon movement from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position to cause said lever means to be rocked from a position in which said controlling member is in off position to one in which said controlling member is in on position.

14. In combination, a controller having a first fixed portion and a movable controlling member having first and second controlling positions, a supporting structure to which said first portion of said controller is fixed, a reset member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to reset and released positions, an actuator member mounted on said structure for rectilinear movement to resetting and released positions and cooperable with said reset member, when the same is in released position, to reset said reset member to reset position by movement of said actuator member from released position to reset position, said reset member and said actuator member being substantially coaxial, means for holding said reset member in reset position, and an operating arm for actuating said controlling member from said first to said second position by cooperation of said actuator member therewith upon movement of said actuator member from resetting position to released position and only when said reset member is held in reset position.

BENJAMIN CYR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,202,535 Pedatella May 28, 1940 2,165,555 Kronmiller et al. July 11, 1939 1,762,075 Peterson June 3, 1930 1,960,020 McGall May 22, 1934 

